Dispensing machine



June 17, 1.952

Filed April l5, 1946 W. C. MARSH DISPENSING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet l f6-Z W Vga 20 a fa@ zaz ' WHL TON C. Hme H.

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June 17, 1952 w. c. MARSH 2,601,159

DISPENSING MACHINE Filed April 15, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 f @WW June 17,1952 w, Q MARSH 2,601,159

DISPENSING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April l5, 1946 /Na/ENTo/a: WHLToA/ C. Maes/f,

June 17, 1952 w. c. MARSH 2,601,159

y DISPENSING MACHINE Filed April l5, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Mw www'Patented June 17, 1952 DISPENSING MACHINE Walton C. Marsh, Belleville,Ill., assignor to Marsh Stencil Machine Company, Belleville, Ill., acorporation of Illinois Application April 15, 1946, Serial No. 662,338

(Cl. ZTI- 2.4)

9 Claims. 1

The present invention relates generally to dispensing machines, and moreparticularly to gummed tape moistening and dispensing machines adaptedto deliver moistened selected tape lengths for application to packages,cartons and the like.

An object of the present invention is to provide a novel gummed tapedispensing machine which is adapted to deliver moistened tape segmentsof selected lengths. l

Another object is to provide a novel tape dispensing machine which isadapted to deliver tape segments of selected lengths at rapid rateswithout overrun or retraction of the tape strip.

Another object is to provide a novel tape dispensing machine which isadapted to deliver tape segments of any selected length betweenpredetermined minimum and maximum lengths.

Another object is to provide a novel tape dispensing machine which isadapted to accommodate tape rolls of any width between preselectedminimum and maximum widths and which incorporates structural dispensingfeatures adapted to smoothly receive the tape strip from the roll and topass it to a point of ultimate use` Another object is to provide a noveltape dispensing machine incorporating operating mechanism by which stopsnormally used in the cutting of tape segments of preselected lengths canbe rendered inoperative at will during a dispensing cycle.

Other objects are to provide a novel tape dispensing machine which isadapted to rapidly and accurately dispense tape segments, which is ofsturdy and rugged construction and adapted thereby to render longservice under severe usage, which is simple in construction and readilyfabricated, and which may be readily operated in an efficient manner bya user with a minimum of instruction.

Other objects and advantages, in addition to the foregoing, are apparentfrom the following description taken with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

Fig. 1 is a top plan View of a gummed tape dispensing machineconstructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, aportion being broken away to show the tape roll in its chamber;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational View thereof, the operating handle beingshown in several positions and a part of the casing being broken away toshow the tape roll in the tape chamber;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view thereof on a reduced scale of theother side;

Fig. 4 is a front elevational view thereof on a reduced scale, parts ofthe water bottle and the handle being broken away for conservation ofspace;

Fig. 5 is a view thereof partly in plan and partly in cross section;

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view on the line 6 6 of Fig. 5, themoistening brushes and the tape roll being shown in elevation;

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view on the line 'l--l of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view on the line 6 8 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 9 is a front elevational View thereof, parts being in cross sectionand parts being broken away for clarity of illustration, the handlebeing in the central position of Fig. 2;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view through the operatingarm assemblyr of the machine;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view on the line lI-Il of Fig. 10;

Fig- 12 is an isometric view of the reciprocable latch rider of themachine;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged elevational detail view of a portion of thecutting knife operating mechanism showing the relation of the elementsafter initial movement of the operating arm and prior to tapedispensing;

Fig. 14 is an enlarged elevational detail View similar to Fig. l5 butshowing the parts in their relation just prior to depression of thecutting knife to sever the dispensed tape;

Fig. l5 is a plan view of the tape chute;

Fig. 16 is a section on the line l-l of Fig. 15;

Fig. 17 is an enlarged cross-sectional view on the line l'l--I'l of Fig.6, a portion of the feed wheel being shown in elevation;

Fig. 18 is a section on the line l8-l8 of Fig. 17; and

Fig. 19 is an enlarged transverse sectional view through the feed wheel.

Referring more particularly to the drawings by reference numerals, 20indicates generally a gummed tape dispensing machine embodying theprinciples of the present invention. Broadly, the tape dispensingmachine 20 includes side panels 22 and 2G, a cover 26, a supportingframe 28, an operating arm assembly 3i] with associated elements, a tapemoistening assembly 32, a cutting knife assembly 3i, a tape feedingassembly 36, a tape guide construction 38, a buffer and return mechanism49, and relating and connecting elements.

More specifically, the supporting frame 24 serves to mount the severalworking parts and assemblies of the present invention, and includesvertical side walls 42 and 43 of the configuration clearly shown in thedrawings. The side walls 42 and 43 are maintained in spaced rigidrelation by a plurality of transversely disposed shafts such as shafts44, 45, 46 and 41 anchored in the Walls by suitable nuts 48 or the like(Figs. 5 and 6). Each side wall 42 and 43 is enlarged along the loweredge to provide an outwardly extending thickened flange 49, each ofwhich has attached thereto underneath the ends thereof supporting bosses50 of rubber or the like.

The side panel 22 is attached to and spaced from the vertical wall 43 bya plurality of bosses formed integral with the wall 43 and bosses 52formed integral with the panel 22 whichy threadedly receive suitablescrews 53. Similarly, the side panel 24 is attached to and spaced fromthe side wall 42 by bosses 54 formed integral with the wall 42 andbosses 55 formed integral with the panel 24' and suitable screws- 59'.

The operating arm assembly includes a shaft having bearing support inbosses formed integral with the Walls 42 and 43, to one outer end ofwhich is keyed a handle arm 6| by means of' a pin 62. As is best seen inFigs. 2A andA 9 through 12, the handle arm (il is of channel crosssection and houses the vertically reciprocating elements of a latchingmechanism generallydesignated 63. At its free end, the handle arm` 6|supports a handle grasp 64 of cylindrical configuration. The grasp |34comprises a tubular member 65 which, at one end, threadedly engages forsupport a housing 66 formed at the free end of the handle, and, at theother end, threadedly receives a cup-shaped member 61. Within thetubular member 05 is a reciprocable plunger 68- having aconical end 69extending into the housing 66 and a reduced portion 10 extending throughthe bottom of and into the cup-shaped member 61. A push button 1| iskeyed to the end of the reduced portion 19'by a suitable pin 12. Thepush button 1| is of a configuration to nestle within the cup-shapedvmember 6-1- for reciprocative movement and is biasedv outwardly by acompression spring 13. A cup-shaped member` 14 threadedly engages thehousing 66 for support thereby in opposed relation to the tubular member65. The cup-shaped member 14' carries a; reciprocative plunger 1-5 ofyreduced length which hasl a conical end 16 adapted to be moved into thehousing 0S and a reduced portion 11 extending through the bottoml of andinto the cup-14. A push button 10 is keyed to the reduced portion 11 bya suitable pin 19 and is biased outwardly by a compression spring 39.

A longitudinally reciprocable member 8| is disposed in the upper portionof the channeled handle arm 9| and includes a head B2 disposed inthehousing 65 having a beveled annular surface 83 adapted to be contactedby the conical end's 69 and 10- of the plungers G8 and 15, respectively.At itslower end, the member 9| extends through an aperture in an upperflange 84 of a connecting member 85, a suitable transversely extendingpin 8G preventing removal of the:` connecting member 05. Similarlyconnected to a', lower fiange 81l of the connecting member 85 by,v asuitable pin 8S is a stub shaft 09 which extends throughv a partitionformed integral with the handle arm 9| and threadedly engages avlatchrider 9i, preferably of the configuration clearly shown in Fig. 12. Therider 9| includes a, shoulder 92y having a beveled surface 93'. An

anchor post 94 threadedly engages the lower edge of the rider 9| andextends through a second partition 95 formed integral with the handlearm 9|. A tension spring 96 is connected at one end lto the lower end ofthe anchor post 94 and at the other end to a pin 91 mounted transverselyof and supported by the walls of the handle arm 6 It is manifest fromthe foregoing that the compression springs 13 and 80, through the pushbuttons 1| and 18, respectively, maintain the plungers 69 and 15retracted in respect to the head 82 which, by gravity and tension spring96, normally is ina position so that the rider 9| rests' against thelower partition 95. Inward pressure on either of the push buttonseffects vertical' movement of the head 82 and rider 9| to the positionsshown in Fig. 10. In addition to the foregoing means,` there is alsoprovided, for raising the rider 9| to the position shown in Fig. 10 andfor retaining it so raised,I a piny 98 which threadedly engages the webportionof the connecting member 85 andV which is movable'. in anAinverted L-shaped slot 99 ('Fig..2) formediin` the handle arm 6|'. Theconnecting member 8.5' is suiciently smaller than the channel of' thehandle arm-y 6|l to permit it to be rotated by. manipulation of! thepin- 08'. It is clear thatl theY rider 9| may be raised' against thetension ofthe extension spring 96 by manually raising the pi'n tf, andwilly be maintained there by the spring 961 after the pin 98 is rotatedVinto the foot of? the L-shaped slot 99.

An arcuate slot 00 of the extent shownin Fig. 2' is formed' in the panel24 concentric Withv the shaft 60'. An arcuate channel- |0| (Fig. 9.): isformed onA the inner surface of the panel 24` and is of the same radiusas that of the arcuate slot |00 (Figs. 9 and I0). Located within theslot |00 are` two stops |202v and E93; each of which includesv al bolt|04! disposed in the slotv |00, a head |05 disposed in the channel I0|,a reduced extremity. |06A extending to a position to be engaged by. theshoulder 92 ofthe rider 9| when the rider 9| is disposed against thelower partition 95, a se'- curing nut |01, and a suitablel'ock washer|08. Manifestly, the stopsv |02 and |03 may be ad'- justed tovv anydesired' position i'n the arcuate slot |00. More than two stops may beemployed ifl desired.

A large gear is keyed to the shaft 60- ad'- jacent the outer face of thewall 42 and inwardly of the panel 24 by a pin H2 (Fig. '1). To provide asuitable predetermined amount of` rotative play between the shaft 60.andthe large gear i the pin l |2 is disposed in opposed fan-shapedopenings |'|3. in the hub ||4 thereof. Hence, the large gear does notbegin to rotate until the shaft 60 has rotated the pin |2 through thefanshaped openings ||3. A stop pin I|5 extends through the gear tosupport a nut ||6, or the like, which engages a screwhead I I9v mountedinv the wall 4'2' to limit the return rotation of the gear Il! to insurethe relationship between f the shaft EE04 and the gear as shown in4 Fig.

'1 at the initiation of the dispensing cycle.

The cutting knife assembly 34 is pivotally mounted in the supportingframe 28 for spring actuation to raised or inoperative position and forpower actuation downwardly through the cutting stroke by theA returnstroke of the operating arm assembly 30:y The knife assembly 347mcludestwoA blade elements |29 of' the configuration and disposedas shown inFig. 9 which' are secured by suitable. screws |2| to a transverse member|22 (Figs. 5 and 6) which is pivotally mounted on and between the endsof the legs |23 of a U-shaped member |24 pivotally mounted adjacent thebight 25 thereof on a transversely disposed shaft |26 anchored in thewalls 42 and 43. A depending member |21 is secured to the bight |25 andhas a tension spring |28 anchored to a stud |29 mounted on the wall 43connected to the free end, thereby biasing the knife elements |20 intoraised position. A tension spring |30 anchored to a stud |3| mounted inthe wall 43 is secured to the lower extremity of each knife element |20to bias the knife elements |20 into constant engagement with a fixedtape cutting blade |32 mounted on suitable brackets secured to the walls42 and 43. Depending from each leg |23 near the bight |25 is a strapmember |33 which `supports ya shaft |34 adjacent the lower extremitiesthereof. The strap members |33 also support a shaft |35 of square crosssection in a position above the shaft |34. The shaft |35 is securedagainst movement relative to the strap members |33. A rocking member |36having a toe |31 is pivotally mounted on the shaft |34 and is biased bymeans of a spring |38 secured to the shaft |35 and to the rocking member|36 into engagement with an adjustable screw |39 threaded through theshaft |35, as is clear from Figs. 6, 13 and 14. A rocker member |40 issecured to the shaft 60 by means of a reduced extension |4| whichextends through the shaft 60 and is maintained in position by a suitablesetscrew (not shown), or the like.

The relationship of the rocker member |40 to the toe |31 of the rockingmember |36 is such that, on the forward stroke of the handle arm 6|, therocker member |40 will just clear the toe |31 during the free movementof the handle arm 6|, that is, during the time the pin ||2 moves in thefan-shaped openings H3. In the clearing action, the rocking member |36is pivoted clockwise against the tension of the spring |38 and then isbrought back into the position shown 1n Figs. 6 and 14 by the spring |38as soon as the rocker member |40 has cleared the toe |31. lNo furtheraction takes place in respect to the cutting knife assembly 34 until theshaft 60 through the handle arm 6| has completed its counterclockwiserotation and in subsequent clockwise rotation has returned the rockermember |40 1nto engagement with the toe |31. Further movement of therocker member |40 against the rocking member |36 pivots the U-shapedmember |24 counterclockwise which moves the cutting elements |20downwardly to sever the dispensed tape, the spring |38 returning thecutting elements |28 to the raised position immediately after the rockermember |40 has cleared the toe 1. I3The tape feeding assembly 36, bestshown 1n Figs. 5, 6 and 11 through 19, includes a driven wheel having asuitably knurled periphery mounted on and keyed to a shaft |46 journaledin suitable bosses |41 formed integral with the walls 42 and 43 (Fig.17). The shaft |55 has a pinion |48 keyed to a reduced portion. |40 by asuitable pin. The pinion |48 meshes with and 1s driven by the large gear(Fig. 7). Adiacent the boss |41 formed in the wall 42 is a collar |50which is secured to the shaft |46 by a suitable setscrew to maintain theshaft |46 againstlongitudinal movement, cooperating with the pinion |48.The driven wheel |45 is in the form of an overrunning clutch andincludes an inner mem.- ber |5| keyed to the shaft |46 and an outermember |52 whichis freely mounted on the shaft |46 and maintained incontiguous position relative to the member |5| by a collar |53 securedto the shaft |46 by a suitable setscrew (Fig. 19). The member |52 is cupshaped on one side to receive the member |5| and to provide a race |54for ball bearings |55 located in pockets |56 (Fig. 18) formed in theperiphery of the member |5|. A plate |51, secured to the member |5| bysuitable screws |58, maintains the ball bearings ||5 in the pockets |56.Disposed beneath and in feeding contact with the periphery of the drivenwheel |45 is a small roller |50 (Fig. 6) which is rotatably mounted onone arm |60 of a bell crank |6| pivotally supported on'the shaft 45, theother arm |62 of the bell crank |6| having a tension spring |63 securedthereto, the spring |63 being anchored to a pin |64 mounted in the wall42 (Fig. 9). Hence, the roller |50 is biased towards constant engagementwith the driven wheel |45. It is clear from. the foregoing that on theforward movement of the arm 6I (after the lost motion is absorbed) thewheel |45 is rotated clockwise to dispense tape and that on the returntrip of the handle arm 6| the clutch elements of the wheel |45 takeeffect to permit counterclockwise rotation of the shaft |46 but toprevent counterclockwise movement of the outer member |52 of the drivenwheel |45, thereby preventing withdrawal of the tape on such returntrip.

The tape guide construction 38 includes a tape chute |66 of theconfiguration shown particularly in Figs 15 and 16. The chute |66includes ears |61, one at each corner, which are secured to suitablebrackets mounted on the walls 42 and 43 for disposing the chute |66 inrespect to the other working parts, as is clearly shown in Figs. 5 and6. The chute |66 also includes lateral guide flanges |68, an opening |68through which the roller |50 extends, and two sets of slots |10 whichselectively receive hook ends |1| of a pair of tape roll guide members|12 pivotally mounted on the transverse shaft 41 and secured thereto byan integral collar |13 and a set screw. The upper end of the chute |66is disposed adjacent the transverse shaft 46 about which is a looselymounted sleeve |14 which assists in the smooth passage of tape beingdispensed. The forward edge of the chute |66 extends to adjacent therear edge of the fixed blade |32. A guide member |15 (Figs. 5 and 6)cooperates with the chute |66 and the stationary blade 32 and includes atransversely disposed portion |16 disposed above the blade 32 and spacedtherefrom by the thickness of the ears |61 of the chute |66, the samesecuring bolt, or the like, extending through the transverse portion|16, the ears |61 and the blade |32. The lguide member |15 also includesrearwardly extending fingers |11 of resilient material which are locatedone to each side of the driven wheel |45, and which terminate intransversely disposed portions |18 which are spaced from the chute |66,as is clear from Fig. 6.

The tape-roll guide members |12 extend into a tape roll chamber |80, thewalls of which are formed by the rear portions of the walls 42 and 43.the bottom of which comprises a plate |8I secured to suitable bracketsmounted on the walls 42 and 43 by screws |82. The plate |8| includes afront flange |83 and a rear flange |84. Above the flange |83 is a shaft|85 about which there is loosely mounted a sleeve |86 against which atape roll |81 rotates during a dispensing operation. The tape roll |81is loosely disposed 7. in thez tape-roll chamber |80' between thetaperoll gui-des |12, no transverse mounting shaft being necessary.

At the forward end of. the tape dispensing machine 20 is the tapemoistening assembly 32 which includes a water cup. |90 and a Waterreservoir |9| connected'v by a closedV water channel |92,- all of whichmay be formed as an integral casting (Figs. l through. 6). The water cup|90 hasl a transverse groove |93 in the bottom` which ts over thetransverse shaft 44, the connecting channel |92 fitting into a niche|94' provided` in the front of the wall 4'3. The tape moisteningassembly 32' readilyl slips' into position for support bythe transverseshaft 44 and the niche |94, In the water cup |90' are two brushes |95and. |96 which. are. disposedI at'- aforwardly directed angle bysuitable ribs |91. The brushes |95 and |96 include bristles which feedwater to the free ends thereof by capillary action for m'oisteningAtape, as is well known in the art. A bottle |98, supported in a bracket|99 secured to the panel 22, is inverted' in the reservoir ISI and isprovided with any type of metering valve 200 to= feedI water into thereservoir |9I as it is used. The metering valve 200 is, of course,adapted' tov bev closed off when the machine 20' is not in use.

A presser and tape terminus guide member 202 is pivotallyl mounted abovethe brushes |95 and |96 and rests on the bristle ends thereof. Themember 2'02 includes a heavy body plate 203 having grooves in theunderside in the direction of tape movement andl in each side of which,toward the rear thereof', is a slot 204 adapted to engage projectingreduced.' extensions 205 (Figs. 5 andl 9) of suitable screws mounted onthe walls 42 and 43. A thin plate' 2 06 is secured to and is spacedAfrom the bottom of the body plate 203' to form` a guide passage todirect. tape forwardly between the bristle ends of the brushes |95 and|96I and the forward underside of the bod'y 203. The rearV edge of thebody plate 203 is beveled', as is clearly shown in Fig. 9, to provide awidened mouth to the guide formedby the plate 206 and the bottom of thebody plate 203'. It is cl'ear fromv Fig. 6 thatv the mouth so formed isdisposed' adjacent the reciprocable blade elements |20' to receive.Ytape from between the fixed' blade |32 and the` guide member |15.

The buier and return mechanism 49 is best shown in Figs. 5 and 8, andincludes a bell crank 2|-0 keyed to the other end' of the shaft 60 bymeansof a suitable pin 2|| extending through the' shaft 641| and a hubportion 2I'2 of the bell crank 2'I0'1. One arm 2|3 of the bell crank2'l0 has a conical projectionv 2'|'4 near the free end, which, iny therest position of the dispensing machine 20, snugly nestles in alining 2|5i of hard rubber, or the-like, disposed'in a cup 2 I6 mounted ontheouterface of the wall' 43. Intermediate theends of the arm 2|3A is anapertured lug 2`|1 to which is connected one end of'a heavy helicaltension spring 2 I8. The spring 2I`8f is l'ed around ay pulley 219which' is supported for rotation on the wall'l 43 by means of a screw220 threadedly enga-ging a boss formed integral with the wallA 43. Theother end' of the' spring 2 I8 is connected to an anchor screw 22|,which threadedly engages anv apertured lug 222 formed integral' withthefwall 43. The anchor screw 22| may be rotated for` adjustment of thetension of the spring-2 |8f. The' bell crank 210 includes a second arm223" on the free end of which is rotatably mounted' a pulley 224. In thepath of the arm 8i 2-If3 is a stop sleeve 225i mounted on the wall 43and adapted to limit the forward movement of the arm 2I3.

In Fig. 8, the buffer and return mechanism 4'0 is shown in dotted linesin the extreme forward position. It is to be observed that the pulley224 on the extremity of. the arm 223 engages the spring 2|I8' as thebell crank is rotated counter-1 clockwise to maintain the tensioningeffect thereof.

The panel 22 includes a scale 221 marked 01T in inches showing numeralsfrom 3 to 36 (Figs. 1 and 9'). The scale 221 is of transparent materialand seats in an arcuate slot formed in the flange of the panel 22. Thescale 221 is disposed over the path of the bell. crank 2|0, a head 229being formed. on the free endl of the arm 2 I3 and provided with atransverse mark 209 to serve as a pointer to indicate the tape lengthbeing dispensed' (Figs. 5 and 8).

The cover 26 includes a front plate element 229 having' a forwardlia-nge 230 terminating in a curled end which ts around a shaft 23|supported by the walls 42 and 43v (Fig. 6). The cover 2G also includes arear plate 232 having a curled portion 233 fitting around a transverseshaft 234 supported by the walls 42 and 43. A bracket 235 is secured toand depends from the underside of the plate 232 and is of aconfiguration to maintain the tape-roll guides |12 against rotation inthe selected adjusted position and to limit upward movement of thefeeding tape.

The operation of the dispensing machine 20 is clear from the foregoingdetaileddescription andv explanation taken with the drawings, but asummary is in order.

To ready the dispensing machine 20. for tape dispensing operation, thegummed tape roll |81 is inserted in the tape-roll chamber after pivotingthe plate 232 rearwardly. The tape-rollV guides |12 are adjustedlaterally to positions to centrally locate the tape roll |81 (Figs. 5iand 6). The tape is then led across the sleeve |14 and' down the chute|66 beneath the guide |15 into contact with the wheel |45 and the roller|59, the plate 229 having been pivoted forwardly out of the way. Thehandle arm 6| is moved forwardv through a short arc to feed the tapejust past the stationary knife |32, forward movement of the arm 6|effecting positive clockwise rotation of the wheel |45. This arc offorward movement of the arm 6I should be suihcient to clear the rockermember |40 with the toe |31 of the rocking member |36, so that, uponreturn movement of the arm 6|, the rocker member |40 will pivot therocking member |36 and member |24 which will move the knife elements |20past the fixed knife blade |32 to sever the extending piece of tape sothat subsequent segments may be properly metered. The tap'e moisteningassembly 32 is filled with water to a suitable level and thebrushes and|93 permitted to pass an initial amount of water to the ends of thebristles.

The stops |02 and |03 are adjusted to the desired position fordispensing tape segments of predetermined lengths. In accomplishing theadjustment, it is but necessary to move the handle arm 6I forwardlyuntil the indicator mark 209 on the head 228 of the arm 2I3 beneath thescale 221 is aligned with the inch number corresponding to the tapelength desired, and thenv to move the stop |02 or |93 against theshoulder 92 of the rider 9| carried by the arm 6| and tighten the stop|02 or |03 in the position thus located. Similarly, the other stop islocated to dispense a tape segment of a different length. The coverplates 229 and 232 are replaced, and the dispensing machine 20 is readyfor operation.

In dispensing a tape segment, the operating arm 6| is moved forwardly tothe rst stop and released, whereupon it is returned to the startingposition by the spring 2|8 (Fig. 8). During the initial forward movementof the operating arm I no tape is dispensed in view of the lost motionconnection between the large gear wheel Il and the shaft 60 to which theoperating arm 6| is keyed. As soon as the lost motion is taken up, thelarge gear is rotated, which rotates the pinion |48 and, therethrough,the shaft |46 to rotate the wheel |45, which feeds the tape forwardlybetween the body plate 203 of the presser member and the plate 206 intomoistening engagement with the bristle ends of the brushes |95 and |96.As explained above', the rocker member |40 clears the toe |31 of therocking member |36 during the initial movement of the operating arm El,the knife elements |25 being maintained in raised inoperative positionby the tension spring |28. The aforesaid clearing movement of the rockermember |60 may be said to cock the knife assembly 3d.

Return movement of the operating arm 6| does not withdraw the tape inView of the overrunning clutch incorporated in the wheel |45. In thereturn movement of the operating arm 0| by the tension spring 2 is or byhand, the rocker member liti! engages the toe |31 of the rocking member|30, which lowers the blade elements in a severing action against thefixed blade |32 as is set out above. The shock of the return movement issufiiciently absorbed by the impact of the projection 2 i4 against theliner 2|5 in the cup 2|0.

Should it be desired to clear the first stop |02 and to meter the tapeby the stop |03, it is but necessary to raise the rider 9| to theposition shown in Fig. 10 by pressing either the push button 1| or thepush button I8, releasing the same prior to reaching the second stop |03so that the rider 9| may contact it. Inasmuch as the shoulder 92 of therider 9| is beveled at 93, it is not necessary to keep the button 1| orthe button 18 depressed in returning the operating arm 6| past the firststop |02, for the beveled surface 93 permits the rider 9| to ride overthe stop |02. The two push buttons 7| and 'I3 are provided in order toinsure one-hand operation of the arm 6| when using either the right orthe left hand. The rider 9| may be locked in an operative positionthrough manipulation of the pin 98 in the inverted L-shaped slot 99.

It is clear from the foregoing that tape segments of predeterminedlengths may be accurately and rapidly dispensed by the machine 2i). Itis further apparent that the means` for dispensing tape segments ofpredetermined lengths may be rendered inoperative and tape segments ofany desired length between a minimum of 3 inches and a maximum of 36inches tbe metered by reference to the scale 221. The moistening and thesevering of the tape are manifestly efficiently accomplished.

It is clear, therefore, that the objects and advantages sought for thepresent invention have been accomplished.

It is to be understood that the foregoing disclosure and theaccompanying drawings are given by way of illustration and example. Itis to be further understood that those modifications encompassingchanges in the configuration of elements, rearrangement of parts andsubstitution of equivalents which will be apparent to those skilled inthe art are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention,which is limited only by the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

l. In a tape dispensing machine, in "combination, a frame, a tape-rollsupport, means for feeding tape, a reciprocating lever of channel crosssection having a forward feeding movement and an opposite returnmovement between feeding and return limits, one or more stop elements inthe path of the lever intermediate said limits, a stop-engageable membermovably mounted on the lever and cooperable with said intermediate stopelement or elements, and means carried by the lever for rendering saidstop-engageable member inoperative at the will of the operator includinga bevelled head member disposed within the lever for reciprocation, apair of plungers operatively associated with said bevelled head memberfor moving the same, a push button secured to each plunger and biasedwith its plunger towards rest position but adapted to be selectivelypushed for rendering said rstop-er1- gageable member inoperative,whereby to feed different predetermined lengths of the tape materialselectively.

2. In a tape dispensing machine, in combination, a supporting frame, apivoted operating handle adapted to make forward and return strokes fordispensing a tape strip segment, a coil spring for eifecting the returnstroke of said handle, a pivoted lever offset from and adapted to movewith said handle, said coil spring having one end connected to saidlever and the other end connected to said frame, said spring beingtrained about a grooved pulley in the form of a U so that the springends are on the same side of said pulley and spaced therefrom, and meansfor compensating for lost tension effect in the spring as .the pivotinglever is moved forward beyond its vertical radius including a memberconnected to said lever for movement therewith disposedbetween the sidesof the U spring when said spring is at rest, said member supporting anelement engageable with said spring to increase tension as the lever isrotated beyond its position of vertical radius.

3. In a tape dispensing machine, in combination, a supporting frame, apivoted operating handle adapted to make forward and return strokes forydispensing a tape strip segment, a coil spring for effecting the returnstroke of said handle, a pivoted lever offset from and adapted to movewith said handle, said coil spring having one end connected to saidlever and the other end connected to said frame, said spring beingtrained about a grooved pulley in the form of a U so that the springends are on zthe same side of said pulley and spaced therefrom, anextension secured to said lever and extending between the legs of thespring U when lsaid lever is at rest, and a pulley pivotally mounted onsaid extension and disposed in the plane of the spring whereby saidpulley contacts said spring as the lever is pivoted during forwardpivotal movement of said handle to force said spring out of its normalchannel to increase the tension effect.

4. In a tape dispensing machine, in combination, a frame, a tape-rollsupport, means for feeding tape, a reciprocating lever having a forwardfeeding movement and an opposite return movement between feeding andreturn limits operatively connected to said tape feeding means, one ormore stop elements in the path of the lever intermediate said limits, astop-engageable member movably mounted on the lever and cooperable withsaid intermediate stop element or elements, means carried by the leverfor rendering said stop-engageable member inoperative at the will of theoperator, and additional means carried by the lever for rendering andfor maintaining said stop-engageable member inoperative including amember connected to said stopengageable member for pivotal movement inrelation thereto and for vertical movementl therewith in relation tosaid lever, and an inverted L-slot in said lever, said member extendingthrough said L -slot and being manually movable vertically andhorizontally in said L-slot to dispose said stop-engageable member inretained inoperative position.

5. In a tape dispensing machine, in combination, a frame, `means forfeeding tape, a reciprocabl-e lever mounted on said frame having aforward feeding movement and an opposite return movement between feedingand return limits, a stop engageable member reciprocably mounted on saidlever, one or more stop elements -mounted on said frame in the path ofsaid stop engageable member intermediate the mov-ement limits of saidlever, manually movable means mounted on said lever connected to saidstop engageable member for selective movement of the latter -by :theformer, said manually movable means including a reciprocable compositemember having a portion rotatable in relation to the other portionsthereof, a member connected to said rotatable portion of said compositemember for effecting rotation of said rotatable portion and reciprocablemovement of said stopengageable member independently of said manuallyreciprocable means, and means for maintaining said last-mentioned memberin raised position with said stop-engageable member out of stop memberengaging position.

6. The combination of claim in which said means for maintaining saidlast-mentioned member in raised position comprises an inverted L-slot insaid lever, said last-mentioned member extending through said invertedL-slot and being movable vertically in the vertical portion thereof andhorizontally in the horizontal portion thereof, said horizontal p'ortionthereof serving to maintain said last-mentioned member in raisedposition and said stop-engageable member in inoperative position.

7. In a tape dispensing machine, in combination, a frame, a tape-rollsupport, means for feeding tape, a reciprocating lever of channel crosssection having a forward feeding movement and an opposite returnmovement between feeding and return limits, said lever including atransversely disposed hand grasp at its outer end, one or more stopelements in the path of the lever intermediate said limits, astop-engageable member movably mounted on the lever and co-l operablewith said intermediate stop element orl elements, and means carried bythe lever for rendering said stop-engageable member inoperative at thewill of the operator including a bevelled head member disposed withinthe lever for reciprocation, a pair of plungers operatively associatedwith said bevelled head member for moving the same, a push buttonsecured to each plunger and biased with its plunger towards non-engagingrelation with said stop-engageable member but adapted to be selectivelypushed for rendering said stop-engageable member inoperative, saidplungers and said buttons being disposed in said hand grasp.

8. In a tape dispensing machine, in combination, a frame, a taperoll-support, means for feeding tape, a reciprocating lever of channelcross section having a forward feeding movement and an opposite returnmovement between feeding and return limits, one or more stop elements inthe path of the lever intermediate said limits, a reciprocablestop-engageable member mounted within the channel of the lever andcooperable with said intermediate stop element or elements, meanscarried by the lever for rendering said stop-engageable memberinoperative at the will of the operator including an elongated memberwithin said lever connected to said stop-engageable member forreciprocable movement therewith, said elongated member extending towardsthe free end of said lever, opposed push button means mounted at thefree end of the lever for optionally actuating said member, and a memberconnected to each push button for movement therewith engageable withsaid elongated member upon actuation of its push button to actuate thesame to move said stop engageable member to inoperative position,whereby to feed different predetermined lengths of the tape materialselectively.

9. In a tape dispensing machine, in combination, a frame, a tape-rollsupport, means for feeding tape, a reciprocating lever having a forwordfeeding movement and an opposite return movement between feeding andreturn limits, one or more stop elements in the path of the leverintermediate said limits, a stop-engageable member movably mounted onthe lever and cooperable with said intermediate stop element orelements, and means carried by the lever for rendering saidstop-engageable member inoperative at the will of the operator includingan elongated member mounted on said lever connected to saidstop-engageable member for movement therewith, a pair of push buttonsmounted in opposed relation at the free end of the lever, a memberconnected to each push-button individually engageable with saidelongated member to move the same outwardly of the lever and the movablestop engageable member to inoperative position, and means biasing eachpush button and connected member to non-engaging relation with saidelongated member, said push buttons providing means for optionallyrendering said stop-engageable member inoperative through use of theleft or right hand of a user, whereby to feed different predeterminedlengths of the tape material selectively.

WALTON C. MARSH.

REFERENCES `CITED The following references are of record in the le ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,887,460 Nelson Nov. 8, v19321,960,945 Krueger May 29, 1934 2,017,920 Rost Oct. 22, 1935 2,066,617Gautier Jan. 5, 1937 2,066,619 Gautier Jan. 5, 1937 2,148,026 KruegerFeb. 21, 1939 2,293,433 Gautier Aug. 18, 1942 2,352,149 Gautier June 20,1944 2,382,787 Gautier et al. Aug. 14, 1945

